CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP)—Daytona 500 winner Trevor Bayne has been hospitalized for symptoms that could be related to an insect bite this month.

Roush Fenway Racing officials say Bayne will not race this weekend at Richmond International Raceway.

Bayne was hospitalized briefly for an apparent reaction to an insect bite on his left elbow. Roush Fenway President Steve Newmark says Thursday that Bayne was not feeling well this week, and is being evaluated for potential lingering symptoms.

Newmark says the team will use a substitute driver in Friday night’s Nationwide Series race. Bayne was not scheduled to race for The Wood Brothers in Saturday night’s Sprint Cup Series event.

Several years ago, my wife was bitten by something (never saw it, just the bite mark as it developed over the next few hours) and I ended up bringing her to the ER. The swelling kept extending up her arm and it started to affect her breathing. They had to give her inhalation therapy. She had never reacted to any type bite or sting previously, so this had to be something really potent. After that, the bite cleared up and healed normally.

Depending on the type of insect and the person's (Trevor's) own body, the severity of the reaction can be serious and nothing to fool around with.

I had something similar happen to me back in the mid '90's. Didn't see anything,didn't feel anything but, within about 12 hours I had a red streak running both ways from the bite and it looked like there was a tennis ball sewn inside my right biceps. It was so aggravating that I was actually scratching it with a hairbrush. When I went to the Dr. he couldn't tell me what it might've been but gave me a shot of some ridiculously powerful anti-biotic and after about 4 days it went away but to this day I still have a small scar that's about 1/4" in length. It was really freaky.

Unless you've experienced the Unconditional Love and Loyalty of a good dog, you have yet to live."GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS,ESPECIALLY THE SNIPERS"[/[color=#FF4000]color]

An update this morning, but not much "new" information. The article says more will be known next week.

Trevor Bayne Hospitalized at Mayo Clinic

Wednesday, May 04, 2011 05:33 By BlueRidgeToday

According to USA Today, Trevor Bayne, Daytona 500 winner from Wood Brothers Racing has been hospitalized in Mayo Clinic.

RICHMOND, Va. — In the wake of Roush Fenway Racing owner Jack Roush telling the Motor Racing Network that Trevor Bayne has been hospitalized at the Mayo Clinic, the team's president said more could be known about the Daytona 500 winner early next week.

By Marvin Gentry-US PRESSWIRE, US PRESSWIRE Trevor Bayne was hospitalized this week after symptoms returned from what was thought to be an insect bite. Team owner Jack Roush said the Daytona 500 winner was being treated at the Mayo Clinic.

Bayne was hospitalized briefly for an apparent insect bite after finishing 17th in the April 9 race at Texas Motor Speedway. Roush president Steve Newmark said some of the same symptoms reappeared this week after Bayne raced without complications (and handled a full schedule of sponsor appearances) the past two weeks at Talladega Superspeedway and Nashville Superspeedway.

"We talked to his family and said, 'He's 20 years old; this racing stuff is irrelevant. Let's get him tested and be comprehensive about it," Newmark said at Richmond International Raceway a few hours before Saturday.

My husband and I met him late March at the Rousch shop and he was so nice. He was with Ricky Stenhouse and the two of them we doing the Ricky versus Trevor stuff. We were the only ones there and they invited us in to watch and chat with them. Love these young kids. I hope and pray it is nothing serious.

Daytona 500 winner Trevor Bayne was released from the Mayo Clinic on Thursday to return to North Carolina but will not return to driving for the time being.

A news release from Roush Fenway Racing said Bayne is expected to return to his NASCAR racing duties with both Roush in the Nationwide Series and the Wood Brothers in the Sprint Cup Series this season.

No timetable has been set for his return, however, and he will not drive in Saturday’s Nationwide race at Darlington, S.C.

Thursday morning, Bayne posted the following on his Twitter account: “I know I’m right where God wants me to be! finally going back to nc today! Waiting patiently to get better! Thanks everyone!”

“Trevor Bayne was seen by a team of Mayo Clinic specialists where he underwent a series of tests and consultations over the last week,” said Mayo Clinic neurologist Dr. Brian Crum. “He was admitted after suffering from nausea, fatigue and vision impairment.

“Since his admission, the nausea and fatigue have abated, and the vision impairment continues to be treated with medication, and is showing significant improvement.”

Crum said the vision problem appeared to be the result of “an inflammatory condition” and further tests will be done over the next several weeks.

“His condition is not life-threatening or career-ending. We expect he will continue to improve, though the time frame for his return to racing is unknown at this point,” Crum said.

Bayne, 20, entered the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., a week ago to undergo tests for symptoms originally thought to have been related to an insect bite for which he was hospitalized earlier this month.

Last Saturday afternoon while at Mayo, Bayne posted a note on his Twitter account saying he no longer believed his illness had to do with the bite.

Bayne was the surprise winner of the season-opening Daytona 500 driving for the Wood Brothers. He is not scheduled to make another Sprint Cup start until May 21 in the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.